Motorsport News 08/07/21

There was something special about Lando Norris’s podium at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend. Yes, it is not the first time that the engaging young British driver has finished on the rostrum – he has done it four times now – and it was the third time during this campaign the McLaren-Mercedes man has scaled the rostrum. But it was the manner of his performance across the weekend that turned heads. From a front-row start, he was only looking forwards, rather than fighting a rear-guard action to fend off the perceived threat from Ferrari. Even his team was urging him to pace himself against the red cars, but Norris had none of it. He raced competitively against both Lewis Hamilton (even though the World champ was crippled with a damaged Mercedes)…

One of the highlights of theAustrian Grand Prix, wasn’t just the brilliant performance of Max Verstappen, but the fact he was able to share his win with a full complement of fans. Across the weekend the Red Bull Ring welcomed a crowd of 132,000, many of whom were Dutch, dressed in their trademark orange. They lit flares, waved flags and enjoyed a glass or two of Heineken (probably) as they witnessed their man take pole, lead every lap and secure the fastest lap of the race. With limited crowds and social distancing measures in place for so long, it was heartening to have so many fans back at a race track. Verstappen’s 15th grand prix win and 50th podium has given him a 32-point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’world championship. When…

11 George Russell (Williams-Mercedes) -1 lap; 12 Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) -1 lap; 13 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin-Mercedes) -1 lap; 14 Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) -1 lap; 15 Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) -1 lap; 16 Nicholas Latifi (Williams-Mercedes) -1 lap; 17 Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin-Mercedes) 69 laps/accident; 18 Mick Schumacher (Haas-Ferrari) -2 laps; 19 Nikita Mazepin (Haas-Ferrari) -2laps; 20 Esteban Ocon (Alpine-Renault) 0 laps/accident. Drivers’ Championship: 1 Verstappen 182 points; 2 Hamilton 150; 3 Perez 104; 4 Norris 101; 5 Bottas 92; 6 Leclerc 62. Constructors’ Championship: 1 Red Bull 286 points; 2 Mercedes 242; 3 McLaren 141; 4 Ferrari 122; 5 AlphaTauri 48; 6 Aston Martin 44.…

Lewis Hamilton has committed to racing with Mercedes for another two years saying he has a new found love for Formula 1. In the closest fight between two teams in the turbo hybrid era, Hamilton says the title battle with Max Verstappen has made him “dig deeper.” There was a suggestion the 36-year-old might retire rather than continue with a reset in the regulations next year, but instead he’ll continue to the end of 2023. “We’ve been challenged more than ever this year,” said Hamilton. “I love racing. This is what I was born to do and I feel fit and as committed as ever, so I saw no reason to stop. “At the start of the year, when the cars were equal, it was one of the most exciting times I’ve had…

Lando Norris has asked for “common sense” to be applied to stewards decisions, after the racer has reached 10 points on his licence. If a driver receives 12 points in a 12-month period they are handed a one-race ban. Norris was given a five-second penalty and two licence points for a first lap incident in Austria, in which he was adjudged to have driven Sergio Perez off the track. He argued Perez – on his outside – understeered off the track. “There should be decisions when someone’s done something dangerous and put someone in harm’s way and then you have racing where people have to use common sense. I did everything safely, why should I deserve penalty points? It’s stupid in my opinion.” Two of Norris’s points will expire before he races at…

Lewis Hamilton has signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes that will keep him at the team and in Formula 1 until the end of 2023. The seven-time champion joined Mercedes from McLaren for 2013 and since has won six titles there as well as equalled Michael Schumacher’s record for championships and topping his race-win mark. Hamilton’s early confirmation of a two-year deal is in contrast to last season when Hamilton ended the year out of contract then signed for only one more season. The deal means Hamilton will remain with Mercedes for next year’s major rules change, as well as that his stint with the team will last at least 11 seasons. Hamilton will be approaching his 39th birthday when his contract expires. Hamilton said: “We’ve accomplished so much together but we…